On April 26, 2025, Global Peace Women (GPW) launched the Korean Dream Study Series, hosting its inaugural virtual ‘Learning Circle’. This circle brought together dreamers and doers, held together by hope, courage, and a vision of peace that transcends borders. Young leaders from across continents gathered not only to learn but also to connect.
The Korean Dream Study Series is an invitation; a call to youth around the world to explore values, identity, and purpose through the lens of the Korean Dream, a vision first articulated by Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon, Chairman of the Global Peace Foundation. At its heart lies an ancient Korean philosophy, Hongik Ingan, which means “to live for the greater benefit of humanity.” More than a slogan, it’s a way of life that calls for unity, service, and moral awakening, not only for Korea’s reunification but as a global model for peacebuilding in the 21st century.
“The Korean Dream is not just about Korea; it’s about rekindling our universal humanity to solve the challenges of our time,”~ Dr. Moon.
The launch session was graced by GPW President, Hanako Ikeno, who brought a heartfelt message rooted in over a decade of peacebuilding through family and women’s leadership. “You are leaders in your communities and your families,” she said. “You’ve been advocating that family and women are key ingredients for peacebuilding. And you do it not for personal gain, but because you love.” Her words were a moving reminder that leadership starts at home, in small, everyday acts of kindness and service. She encouraged participants to see themselves as “leaders of the heart,” capable of inspiring deep change through moral example.
Adding to the spirit of inspiration was Risa Perea, founder of Imagine Your Korean Dream and an alumna of the GPW Leadership Academy. Since 2015, Risa has carried the torch of service, crossing borders with purpose and planting seeds of peace through education and women’s empowerment. Her journey brought to life the essence of the Korean Dream in action, ordinary individuals choosing to live extraordinary lives by serving others.
But perhaps the most powerful part of the day came when participants themselves took the stage. The global delegation included Muniratu and Aisha from Nigeria, Tahmina from Bangladesh and Indonesia, Jalia from Uganda, Linnes from Cameroon, Everline from Kenya and Sristika from Nepal and India. Each of them shared more than stories, they shared living philosophies. They offered glimpses into their nations’ souls, hopes shaped by history and culture, and dreams lit by conviction and love. From family-based volunteer projects to campaigns for girls’ education and youth empowerment, the young leaders demonstrated how deeply the values of the Korean Dream resonate in communities around the world.
GPW has long been a torchbearer for the Korean Dream vision. Through initiatives like the Korean Dream Family Campaign, GPW empowers women and families to become catalysts of peace, beginning at the heart of society: the home. GPW’s values-based programs have included story-sharing workshops, intergenerational learning sessions, family volunteering, and cultural exchanges, all aimed at cultivating leadership through love, respect, and service.
In each effort, GPW emphasizes a simple yet powerful idea that strong families build strong nations, and peace begins with how we raise the next generation. By anchoring the Korean Dream in everyday family life, GPW brings moral and innovative ideals into tangible action.
This first session was just the beginning. Through upcoming Learning Circles, young people will explore the Korean Dream’s principles more deeply, reflecting on identity, values, leadership, and how to live for the greater good. They will collaborate across cultures to co-create solutions rooted in empathy and unity, giving rise to a global fellowship unlike any other.
Stay updated on future Korean Dream Study Series sessions to join the journey to live out the Korean Dream by signing up for our newsletters, Global Peace Women and Global Peace Foundation.
Sign your support for the Korean Dream: http://globalpeace.info/intl-for-one-korea.
